How popular were Utah’s ski resorts this winter? Here’s what the data says
Jun 12, 2025, 7:00 AM
Skiers at Sundance Mountain Resort on Jan. 17. Utah's resorts generated over 6.5 million skier visits over the past year, according to Ski Utah data released on Wednesday. (Brice Tucker/Deseret News)
(Brice Tucker/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Visitation at Utah’s 15 ski and snowboard resorts dipped a bit this past winter with less snow in the mountains, but the state’s slopes remain as popular as ever.
The state’s resorts attracted a little more than 6.5 million skier visits during the 2024-2025 ski season, according to new data released by Ski Utah on Wednesday. That’s down 3.6% from the previous season, but it was still 3.3% above the state’s five-year average and the third-highest total on record.
That translates to over $2.5 billion toward the state’s economy, officials at the nonprofit that promotes skiing and snow in Utah added. This past year’s numbers are a “major win,” said Nathan Rafferty, president and CEO of Ski Utah.
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“The ski industry in Utah supports approximately 25,000 jobs, and with the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games on the horizon, the eyes of the world will be on us once again. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and grateful to all who helped make this season a success,” he added in a statement.
It’s unclear what caused the slight decline in year-over-year visitation, but the organization notes that “variable weather patterns” this past winter may have contributed.
Snowbird Resort led Utah in receiving 542 inches of snow, down from what the resort received the previous winter. Alta Ski Area, Brighton Resort and Snowbird all surpassed 600 inches of snow during the 2023-2024 season. Many resorts broke records the season before that, topped by Alta’s eye-popping 903 inches of snow.
Given all that snow during those seasons, it’s no surprise the previous two ski seasons are also the top two years in Utah resort visitation history. The 2022-2023 season remains at the top of the list, as it was the first time the resorts surpassed 7 million skier visits.
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Meanwhile, preparation is already underway for future seasons. Ski Utah points out that over a dozen new lifts are planned to open within the next two years on top of many other upgrades. The industry is also still buzzing over its selection as the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics host.
“Utah’s future as a global winter destination remains as promising as ever,” Ski Utah officials added.
